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New EU biofuel rules not enough to help people or the planet

Europeans may still be forced to buy biofuels made from food crops until 2030, as a result of the deal struck by EU member states and the European Parliament this morning on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Oxfam warns that the directive, which allows member states to continue using such biofuels, could fuel climate change, food price spikes and land grabs.

Oxfam’s EU Economic Justice Policy Lead, Marc-Olivier Herman, said:

“EU member states will still be allowed to burn massive amounts of food. Biofuels made from palm oil, rapeseed, and other food crops, are destroying forests, pushing people off their land, and could fuel the next spike in food prices. Biofuels made from food crops are not the answer to climate change, they are part of the problem. Sadly, EU rules for renewable energy in the transport sector remain on a road to nowhere.”

Notes to editors:

The outcome of the three-way negotiations of the European Parliament, member states and the European Commission (trilogue) will govern the EU’s renewable energy policy for the next decade. The Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021-2030 (REDII) introduces a binding target for “renewable energy in transport” of 14 percent with a maximum share of biofuels made from food crops of 7 percent and additional measures aimed at limiting the use of palm oil.

Member States will be allowed to promote biofuels made from food or feed crops until 2030. They can count this towards their renewable energy targets, up to their 2020 consumption level with a maximum of 7% of their gross final energy consumption in road and rail transport. Member States that choose to limit their consumption of food-based biofuels below 7% can reduce their 14% transport accordingly. Member states that currently use food or feed crops in transport to a level below 2% will be allowed to increase their consumption to a maximum 2%.

The mandates also include a binding target of 3,5% of so-called ‘advanced’ biofuels made from certain feedstocks

60% of the palm oil imported by the EU is now used to produce biofuel. The deal adopted today aims to reduce the share of palm oil used for biofuels. But those measures are likely to be ineffective as demand for palm oil for food, cosmetics and other products will continue to increase in order to substitute for other vegetable oils diverted to EU biodiesel production.

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